[Antennas] Radials and Lawn Cutting

2002年4月18日 21:45:58 -0400

Nelson,
Lately, I have had very good luck using more of a counterpoise made of insulated wire (like 12 or 14 gauge flex weave). After physically connecting the radial to the base of the vertical (a GAP Voyager IV), I stretch the wire very tight over the lawn and hold it in place with "V" shaped staples made out of coat hanger wire; 1 coat hanger = 3 - 4 staples. In other words, right after the radial leaves the antenna, I pin it to the ground with a staple. I then pull it very tight and apply another staple about 30 inches away. I repeat until I reach the end of the wire and seal the end shut with a daub of coax seal.
Now, GAP specifies that this counterpoise must be insulated from ground. If you prefer ground contact, use bare wire. I am not an expert in this area but believe that using sealed, insulated wire keeps your radial/counterpoise (the latter, a capacitive ground) system from corroding over time. Perhaps others more familiar with radial VS counterpoise (particularly when using a more standard quarter wave vertical) could add to this discussion. In any event, I think the staple approach to installing radials is pretty painless. I've never cut one. Give the grass a few weeks and if you can find the wire, it has to be ripped out by force.
73 de Bill / K8DXX
Now that I'm retired, I'm planning on putting up a ground mounted multiband 
vertical this summer.
How are the radials put in? If you just lay them on the grass, how do you cut 
the grass without cutting the radials? Can you bury the radials and if so how 
deep should I go?
Nelson
N3ZBI
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